The Iron Bowl will feature two quarterbacks at very different stages in their careers.

Auburn freshman Jonathan Wallace is making his first road start Saturday against AJ McCarron and No. 2 Alabama. Wallace was still in high school with no scholarship offer from the Tigers when McCarron was being named MVP of the national championship game.

Wallace says he is in a good position.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik says his freshman is ``mature beyond his years.'' Wallace will be the first freshman quarterback to start the Iron Bowl for the Tigers since Gabe Gross in 1988 and third ever.

McCarron is a veteran with a 22-2 record as a starter and 36 touchdown passes compared to four for Wallace. His 21 TD passes is an Alabama single-season record.